Philip Hammond pays tribute to Liam Fox

The new defence secretary says his predecessor did a great job as he arrived for his first day in the post at the Ministry of Defence.

1:51PM BST 15 Oct 2011

Mr Hammond said it was a great honour to have been asked by David Cameron to take on the role of defence secretary.

“It is of course a moment of sadness as well,” explained Mr Hammond, “Liam Fox did a great job here at (the Ministry of) Defence. He made a great start in clearing up the mess that Labour left behind in the MOD and I look forward to pick up that challenge where he left off.”

Justine Greening, a junior Treasury minister who successfully campaigned against the expansion of Heathrow airport in opposition, was promoted to Transport Secretary, the role vacated by Mr Hammond.